Leather is a completely natural product and no other material shares its distinctive properties.
	Nothing breathes or stretches as it does.
	Nothing offers such durability or strength.
	Nothing but leather has beauty and texture which improves with age.

Each hide used in the manufacture of your leather furniture will have its own variations in grain and shading and distinctive markings and blemishes. These are never detrimental to the wearing properties. Leather can quite literally last you a lifetime, and will over the years, like a fine wine, improve with age.

Its appearance will change to reflect your lifestyle with subtle shading, creasing and stretching occurring to enhance the leather’s natural beauty. Leather is very resilient and durable and whilst other upholstery is deteriorating, leather becomes increasingly attractive to the connoisseur.

NATURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF LEATHER

Genuine leather is a natural product and as such will bear the evidence of its own unique history. Natural markings in the leather such as scars, wrinkles, irregularities in the grain, insect bites and other marks such as veins, are features which clearly demonstrate the originality of each hide. None of these natural characteristics can be defects and none are detrimental to the wearing properties of the leather.

It is normal for certain areas of leather, such as seat cushions and arms, to show signs of creasing and stretching during use, adapting its appearance to reflect you and your lifestyle. Again, these are natural characteristics and are not detrimental to the wearing of the leather.

Leather requires very little care, particularly corrected grain leathers (Category 1). However, lighter coloured leathers can be permanently stained by continuous contact with non-colourfast clothing, such as denim. This is a natural characteristic of non-colourfast clothing and cannot be considered as performance deficiency of the leather. It is also important to clean lighter shades of leather more often to avoid the build up of harmful soiling.

NATURE’S OWN HALLMARKS

The following illustrations show examples of natural marks and characteristics of leather. None of these are detrimental to the wearing properties of the leather. Indeed, these characteristics are considered to enhance its appearance, and give leather its proof of authenticity.

Growth Marks	Brand Marks
Variations in Grain	Healed Scar

TYPES OF LEATHER

This is the most expensive type of leather made from the most carefully selected hides. Dye is impregnated into the hide and the surface remains natural with no artificial finish. It is the softest and most pure looking leather with all the variations in shade and markings shown clearly. Because it does not have any surface finish it has low resistance to light and is more absorbent to staining.

This type of leather is similar to aniline but with the added advantage of a light surface finish to make it more resistant to staining, however, most natural marks and shade variations are still visible.

After tanning and dyeing, the surface of this leather is buffed to produce a soft velvety surface. This surface can be left natural or various embossed finishes can be applied to produce special effects. In its most natural state, Suede and Nubuck leather is quite prone to soiling and staining and needs to be maintained and protected with specialist products.

The leather produced by this process enables the tanner to make the most economical use of the hide. A dye is applied to cover most of the natural imperfections which exist in every hide. The grain is then embossed onto the hide and a protective coating is applied, which gives good wear characteristics and high resistance to light. This category of leather is particularly easy to care for and is the most durable.

Sometimes referred to as “Rub-Off”, this category has similar characteristics to corrected grain leather except that a two part dye is applied – a light base coat and a dark top coat.

After the furniture has been upholstered, part of the top coat is rubbed off by hand to expose the contrast colour beneath. This creates an accelerated aged appearance with the top coat colour designed to wear away during use to give the attractive “Antique” effect. This process will continue naturally and the shading will vary and increase with time.

During the Tanning process, the hide is cut horizontally producing a top coat and an internal coat or “Split”. Like the top coat, the “Split” is then corrected i.e. it is dyed, embossed and a protective coating is applied. Due to its superior flexing properties, the top coat is used for cushions and backs and any flexing surfaces. The split may be used on any non-flexing surfaces such as outside backs and sides.

CLEANING AND CARE INSTRUCTIONS

	Avoid placing your leather furniture near a radiator or similar heat sources. Try to keep a minimum distance of 20-30 cm (8-12 inches) between your furniture and a heat source.
	Avoid exposure to direct sunlight.
	Clean and protect your leather furniture at least three times per year (depending on use), using the approved products. Never use detergents, solvents, spray polish or abrasive cleaners on your leather furniture. Always test any cleaning process on an unseen area to test for colour fastness.
	Vacuum regularly and wipe over with a soft cloth to prevent dust and gritty particles damaging the surface.
	Wipe down regularly with a damp cloth and mild soap solution.
	Accidents are bound to happen and minor scuffs and scratches can be effectively repaired by the application of the colour matched cosmetic cream obtained through your retailer.

NEED MORE ADVICE?

For more advice contact your retailer.

All areas of the UK, including Northern Ireland and Eire, are covered by highly trained technicians. These leather professionals can deal with any problem encompassing leather cleaning and stain removal, complete renovation and re-colouring, to replacing leather panels which may have become extensively damaged.